A contemporary view of the masterly works of Dieric Bouts

Dieric Bouts (ca. 1410/20-75) is one of the most elusive figures in the history of Western art. Flemish primitive of the second generation, painter of silence – such are the labels that are usually attributed to him. But was the Master of Brabant not more than that?

This book, published in association with the exhibition, DIERIC BOUTS. Creator of Images, at M Leuven, attempts to get closer to this enigmatic figure. Dieric Bouts had both feet in his world: it is perhaps that we seem unable to understand his work. This book includes comprehensive essays and shorter texts that focus on specific works by the Flemish master, outlining the social, intellectual, and artistic context in which Bouts worked. They highlight his oeuvre from new angles and offer new perspectives on works that are now more than five centuries old – through a radical confrontation with the visual culture of today. The result is a more nuanced image of the great artist from Leuven. Dieric Bouts regains his place in the history of art as the eye-expanding maker of images that he was.

This book is published on the occasion of the impressive retrospective at M Leuven from 20 October 2023 to 14 January 2024.

Edited by Peter Carpreau. With contributions by Inigo Bocken, Jordan Marie Booker, Till-Holger Borchert, Peter Carpreau, Marjan Debaene, Mark Derez, Bart Fransen, Valentine Henderiks, Stephan Kemperdick, Didier Martens, Gust Van den Berghe, and Michiel Verweij.